Hey DON, A hoe to mix concrete is so easy. Just pull the mixture to one end and then pull it back through the water. Much, much easier, quicker and thorough. You are a hard working man. Great project. All the best!
You are one of a kind and I have injured watching you .Me and my daughter and grand children are looking for 5 acres to homestead or turn into off grid. You have given me some ideas. Be safe and keep going .God bless you
Don, you had the right idea on mixing the concrete, but you chose the wrong item. They make concrete mixing paddles, and they are relatively cheap. Pick one with a shorter rod length and mix it in a plastic bucket.
Terrific engineering, Don. I feel confident you will have a very safe home. In my experience at over 50 years, it is better to do it a bit over, than cutting corners. My property is 3 miles from the epicenter of the central California earthquake in 1989. Had to rebuild the entire building, and learned a lot about structural design. Cheers.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 I wished I lived closer- I would be helping you out there. I live in Central California, and if you ever want to come out here and visit, we would love to put you up here, and visit our little horse, pig, & chicken ranch in cool Santa Cruz. Take a break, and come visit Monterey Bay, and see the shorebirds. Cheers, Ken……👍
The Snowshoe Hare Kick was well demonstrated. The baby javelina is not looking forward to the next video, but I AM! And with that foundation, that house is goin' nowhere!
Hi Don, your videos are great . The right balance of humor and good tips for us seniors on being independent and doing things that seem too difficult for us..slow and steady. I bet you never thought people would Binge all your videos 😂also enjoy your singing..keep it up! Best wishes
Hi Suzanne. Thanks for the lovely comments. To be honest I am still stunned at how many people watch my videos. I still dont think I quite get it but I am so thankful they do.
Wow Don, your foundation work is seriously impressive. I had lived in the south for a couple of decades and tornados were a constant threat. Trust me, your being cautious and making sure you do everything within your power to keep from being blown away due to high winds is the smartest route you could take. I did have a tornado blow over my 5 acres and home, and luckily my house was not hurt, but I lost 28 trees all over 40 to 60 feet tall each. Big trees. So I have seen the effects and the damage. I live out west now, and the high winds are very strong here. So taking some extra time on the foundation will be time well spent. Keep going Don! You are such a kind person that truly deserves the best. Thanks for sharing and taking us along with you on your journey. I look forward to the next one, and by the way , I love your humor. The rabbit kick was the best 😅😅🥰
Hi Martha. It always warms my heart to receive comments like this. How on earth can I not feel affirmed, appreciated and just plain delighted? Thank you!
You should fill each hole full of water full of water , let it soak into the dirt , THEN fill with cement . The dry dirt will suck moisture out of the cement that it needs to cure properly , over time !
Don, over engineering your forever home is the only way to go. In high wind areas unless you are on a slab, this is the way to insure the house stays put. Until next week have a super blessed week.
I think you found a great use for that teflon pan! I am glad you stop using it. Your thought process to engineer your big home is going to be very structurally sound. Love your cute sense of humor.
Wow!!! 7,600 views within the first 12 hours! It is so refreshing to see a You Tube creator actually documenting step by step procedure. I am stinkin fed up with so called "instructional" videos that show a person's body from far away and do not show the hands and tools and parts so very necessary to see. Thank you for taking care to show people what you are using and how you do it. For instance, you are the only person that shows a cone nut and the struggles one should anticipate when using them as part of your solar array assembly, way back when you did the solar array mounting video. I cannot wait to see you wrestle the javelina and I am putting my money on Daredevil Don! Your videos show us what folks can REALISTICALLY expect to encounter along the way and to err is human and to be human makes your videos relational. Good Job! Your cabin is NOT going to get blown off the foundation in any of the 135 mph desert winds! Overkill all the way but I can't imagine you doing anything less than uber strong!
You're doing a monumental amount of work! You're doing it very well, precise, sturdy...very impressive. People tell me that the foundation is the most important part of a building and you've built a good one. I bet things start to go faster and faster now.
Thanks so very much for always encouraging comments. I am excited about the possibility of really rolling on this home. Got to design plumbing soon. That will take some thought for sure.
Moving those 60-pounders is a real chore! I was doing that this past weekend while building our IBC tote platform. Whew! Keep up the good work, buddy! Stay safe!
Hi Don, I’m surprised that you didn’t used a rigid brace instead of a strap so that you have support from both directions. But then I see that you strap the other footer beam on the opposite sides. You will never regret taking the time to secure the foundation!
You know you could have dry poured the ready mix into your cinderblocks and just topped off with water. Pouring dry ready mix in most humid parts of the world quite enough as the mix will pull moisture out of the air and go off. Being in the desert this process could take a little longer but would still occur, by topping off with a cup or two of water just helps things along.
Hi David...have you tried the dry pour method in the desert and if so, how often and for how long did you occasionally mist the pour? When doing a dry pour, how large of a framed out pour can one do? I have not done dry pour except for fence post holes and I am looking forward to trying it for an entry way.
@@SheridanAtwood-bd3ks I grew up in the sub Sahara probably comparable with Arizona maybe a little hotter. My dad was a civil engineer and always had projects on the go, misting in dry climates a good idea cuts down on flying dust if nothing else, Dry mix floors possible, we have done them, in particular for sub floors where another layer going over the top, they do take longer to set but if you are not on a tight time schedule this is not a problem. As a general rule most of us use far more water than is truly required when mixing concrete. something else worth noting is that concrete that is allowed to cure underwater for three months tends to be significantly stronger. .How big is the floor you intend to dry lay if less than twenty by twenty feet mist the ground then spread your dry mix use rakes a vibrating plate impactor and only mist if you can fine mist only. heavier drops will obviously cause problems leaving drip holes.Aggregate size important half inch should do it. If you want a really strong hard wearing floor try cement fondue and granite chips. this should be regularly watered ie not allowed to go dry for several days.flood if possible after setting. always worth a practice on a small scale pavers are always useful.
A friend owns a large mobile home park here in Tucson....they use the same pier and strap system just like you. And it certainly does seem like this part of AZ has gotten more windy the past few years. As a civil and structural engineer, I know there are many ways to build a foundation for just about anything. You are doing excellent with your foundation Don. Always enjoy your videos a lot. Thanks.
Wow Lawrence, considering your experience I am so thrilled by your response to my build. I based my strap and pier system on what I found in Arizona state requirements for mobile homes of a similar size. So far I am really pleased at how it all turned out.
I am a "bit" senior to you and I totally relate to not having the grip strength that I had in my 'teen' years (40-60) lol. It's coming along nicely especially since this is the rock solid foundation for your desert mansion. All the best to you---cheers!
Aye Don .Glad that you filled the cinder blocks with concrete and added the strapping for extra stability .It`s getting there nicely .Looking forward to the next installment . ATB
Good morning, Don! not quite 5:30 here, but my wee Ancient pup decided he wanted breakfast, so I fixed a steamy mug of coffee to enjoy while watching your post. that foundation is coming on a treat! I was wondering though, when do you run the sewer line from the house to join up to the sceptic system ? I would not want to be digging through that soil under a crawl space. that would not be an easy task. take care! ❤️🇨🇦❤️
Hi Carol. Well actually you will see the details in upcoming vids but the sewer line is already dug and ready to go! How cool eh? I have to admit thinking someone takes time out of their day to have a cup of coffee and watch what I am up to is so very encouraging. Thank you! all the best!
Don , those gloves look cumbersome. Probably over kill in most that you do. There are great cut proof flexible gloves that would make it just a little easier and enjoyable. Love your show!
Jim I always appreciate the knowledge and info from those who watch this channel. I took what you said seriously and added a pair of gloves to my amazon wish list. Delighted you find the vids enjoyable. Many thanks.
Thanks Deborah. You will get to see how a home is literally built from the ground up. This is saving me 1000s of dollars doing it myself which is fantastic fun as well.
Great job Don, looks like that place will be solid and not move. No criticism here only praise. You do what you feel you need to. God's speed with this project 😊
Looks like a labor of love. I know you are on a learning curve but I appreciate the diligence you are applying to your place. I'm up in PHX but am Retired and can always use a reason for a road trip if you ever need an extra hand! Dave/PHX
You are something else, I love to watch you doing this lifestyle and build by yourself. I wish my ex-husband could be still here ,we divorced because he wasn't faithful, but he also passed away February of this year. Your doing a great job. Gail Waldrop in Alabama right now, but looking for a 5 acre in Tn to homestead.
Don, having done a few 'projects' in my time, I find the best all round tip for projects/tasks I have never done before is to estimate how long it will take accurately, then DOUBLE it. The doubled estimate will be much nearer than the first one.
Don for a man of your age , getting good full body work out in too lol 💪, doing such super super nice 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 work my 1973 single wide mobile home, has those same metal straps on are farm , when I re did are sewer lines I seen the straps, at least you have a helper to help you out too , looks like nice weather, I'm Giles from Warrenton Oregon coast area we are in the 60 ° here , 3 days of nice weather then rainy weather then nice here , I'm flipping the in side of my mobile home right now adding 2 x4 s to the studs some drywall green drywall some plywood in the living room behind are new tv , the tv wall all plywood made it stronger I'm clear coating the plywood, your awesome guy don ....
Thanks for the encouraging comments Giles. Sounds like you have a great project going on with your mobile home. I know they arent made well overall so sounds like you are beefing it up nicely. All the best!
For folks mixing cement products or choosing containers for growing fish, it is best to use round containers because round containers are self cleaning with the flow of the liquid and do not allow for any residue to accumulate in any corners. Mixing mortar and cement is very easy in a 5 gallon bucket with the cement mixer paddle extension and makes it so much easier for pouring it out and for effortless cleaning afterwards.
The drill apparatus looked like a struggle. Just a thought….. maybe mix smaller batches with a 5 gallon bucket. Figure out basic proportions and roll the bucket to mix….. then pour the bucket mixture into the mixing pan
Looking great Don. When you start your subfloors and walls before you know it the roof will be installed. I used the standard Home Depot windows and they are just ok. When its time for good windows l'd really get some good ones.
Brilliant Don I live in a manufacturer Home , mine 30x20 ft. Yours will be bigger giving you excellent living space. I know it's hard work, but it will be worth it. God bless Simon 🇬🇧
Very helpful to see these details. I'm feeling better about pier foundation now - was going to go with slab, but now I might change my mind again. Still puzzling about best option for ease of packrat control, which is why I was thinking about slab.
Cheryl the trick with packrats is to use serious skirting and also use a wire mesh barrier deep in the ground at the base of the skirting so it prevents rodents from digging under neath. The advantage of a pier foundation is that you can go under and add things like plumbing/propane/electrical how and when you want. With a slab if you make a mistake with your plumbing etc. you are done for essentially. Super hard to correct later on.
thanks, Don! I'm definitely leaning toward the pier foundation after seeing you create yours from scratch. I'll plan on deeply buried hardware cloth, and hopefully stone around the foundation if I can find someone good at stonework. I'd like to think I could learn stonework, but I suspect it takes more time and talent than I possess, ha ha! @@affordabledesertliving3487
You said to keep watching to find out about filling in the holes in your blocks--Nice work. As I like to say---Looks like a job done good enuf for who its for!!!
Next time you need to mix cement use a long handled hoe in your flat mixing tub. You pull it back and forth. Glad you filled in concrete blocks. I missed seeing any birds. Take care.
Hi Don from a fellow Canadian here, it's looking solid and I'm enjoying the progress you are making on your house. For the cement mixing maybe try a hoe.
I built a 8 foot by 12 foot chicken rabbit cage concrete foundation it took me 2 months .. it wore me out but today I finished it .. next year I will pour the outside
Hi Mark. Thats an excellent question. I chose not to Because the blocks are not cemented into the ground all that far. Thus not providing as much safety in the event of a severe storm. Hurricane straps have been used for many years on similar size buildings in even tornado regions like Florida. Its super windy at times here so I went with that method. Also if you check Arizona requirements for mobile homes the size of my home its mandatory to have them strapped in the same way I have and with a similar number of straps. So I copied that idea. The beauty of not having the beams screwed into the concrete is that I can still move them a bit here and there to make things squared up as accurately as possible before the joists go on. Hope that makes sense. and thanks for watching!
If we built that in Australia the local council would make us pull it down. Rules for foundations are very strict. Good to see people can build how they want in some places. For private homes , should be more of it. Too many rules now make building impossible for most ppl.
That is why I chose to retire in Cochise County and sign up with the owner builder opt out permitting system. Once your septic is permitted the county guidelines for building your own home are wonderfully relaxed making it affordable.
Don, curious why you chose to use $$$ Hurricane ties as floor joist hangers $. Typically, they are used to tie roof truss cord to exterior was framing. Also, why are the “floor joist hangers” installed above the the beams? Good luck!
Hi Stan. This is to ensure that the joists fit nicely across the beam foundation and stay in place to provide 16" centers for the floor joists. Which will be super important when I lay downt the tongue and groove plywood flooring on top of the joists. Stay tuned and I think it will make sense.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Still, you may attach the joist to the fascia using nails. I did this on my 2 recent sheds. The only drawback is that the nails are visible on the fascia afterwards. You can achieve any precision with this method and hangers are not so necessary really. You can achieve 16 OC spacing. However maybe you have some new idea to show. For example with hangers it might be little more convenient to place the joists in place so they do not wander before nailing and it is more aesthetically pleasing afterwards.
@@stanpak007 I definitely see where you are coming from for sure. With the method I chose the whole floor structure then is interconnected by using the tie downs. Then from there down of course as you can see the beam/joist assembly is anchored to the ground using the mobile home tie down strapping method. So its just one big integrated solid floor structure. Of course the facia will be attached to the flush edges of all the joists making it hopefully look good. This is great Stan and makes me realize viewers cant exactly read my mind on these things so I will explain more of my engineering mindset on this in a future video. Cheers!
@@affordabledesertliving3487 watching from the Philippines 🌴....I have traveled many times on I-10 stopping at Dragoon Rocks ( rest area) Cochise county, Arizona
Why did you elevate the home instead of using a slab foundation? How will you prevent the winds from blowing cold air under the house making your home colder in winter? What kind of insulation do you plan to use in your home?
Great questions runninggrewywolf. I really really dont like slabs. I will be adding plumbing, electric, and propane lines under the home. Having it raised makes adding those much easier later on. I will have a very warm floor insulation PLUS there will be serious skirting around the entire home making it warm. Plus I will be using a serious propane furnace as well. The entire home will be spray foamed with open cell foam. The floor will have 2 layers of 2" foam board. If you watch my little cabin being insulated you will see exactly how this is planned. Thanks for watching.
I live in Surprise Arizona. I was curious as to where in south east Arizona you chose? Around Tuscon, Bisbee, Benson, Wilcox? I have been watching videos of nomads that have set up homesteads in northern Arizona like Williams, Concho, St Johns area.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 H.B. Fuller makes a pour that is pricy but SO quick; will make your eyes pop out! 30 second from open until done 2K™: Fence Post Backfill
Really... the larger Harbor freight cement mixer has been a very good deal Capacity is 2 80 lb bags, but works better at just 1 bag at a time. Thos saying just dry pour... that comes out less than 1/8 strength. Mixing is required for strength. For major construction projects they specify the number of turns of the drum of the mixer truck. The paddle mixer for your drill expeccts to mix in a 5 gallon bucket, not the mortar mixing tray.
Hi Bubba. I got the ground stakes from Mobile Home Depot in Sierra Vista. But they only had a few so I ordered the rest on Amazon. You can get the slotted metal bolts on amazon as well. The strapping itself I got from a company in missori which offered good rates. But you can get the strapping on amazon and several other places too. The main important tool though is the metal adapter tool that I ordered on ebay. (see previous videos) Connected with a torque wrench it does the trick of driving those 30" ground stakes in the ground. Hope that helps!
They are called: Mobile Home Double Disk Earth Auger Anchor I got some in Sierra Vista at the Mobile Home Depot Store. The others on amazon www.amazon.com/dp/B08WNC3G35?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Why did you choose to not secure the four beams directly to your concrete pillars? This would eliminate any need for strapping attached with "cabinet screws".
Good observation. I didnt secure them to the pillars because they are not very deep in the ground and I wanted something more "hurricane resistant". So I went with the strapping method like they use in hurricane prone areas like Florida etc. for extra sturdiness factor. Plus this is the approved method by the state of Arizona.
Hey DON, A hoe to mix concrete is so easy. Just pull the mixture to one end and then pull it back through the water. Much, much easier, quicker and thorough. You are a hard working man. Great project. All the best!
Hmm. I will have to give that a try Jim. Thanks!
Nice work Don! I think it's smart to add hurricane straps. Strong foundations are so important.
Yes indeed no question. Also it may help with insurance later on.
You are one of a kind and I have injured watching you .Me and my daughter and grand children are looking for 5 acres to homestead or turn into off grid. You have given me some ideas. Be safe and keep going .God bless you
Glad to know the channel is helpful Gail. Its all about zoning so do due diligence in locating somewhere that matches the plans you have.
Don, you had the right idea on mixing the concrete, but you chose the wrong item. They make concrete mixing paddles, and they are relatively cheap. Pick one with a shorter rod length and mix it in a plastic bucket.
Didnt know about concrete mixing paddles. So great tip and thanks for sharing!
Terrific engineering, Don. I feel confident you will have a very safe home. In my experience at over 50 years, it is better to do it a bit over, than cutting corners. My property is 3 miles from the epicenter of the central California earthquake in 1989. Had to rebuild the entire building, and learned a lot about structural design. Cheers.
Wow thanks for all of that encouragement Ken. I am doing my best to make this home as sturdy as possible.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 I wished I lived closer- I would be helping you out there. I live in Central California, and if you ever want to come out here and visit, we would love to put you up here, and visit our little horse, pig, & chicken ranch in cool Santa Cruz. Take a break, and come visit Monterey Bay, and see the shorebirds. Cheers, Ken……👍
The Snowshoe Hare Kick was well demonstrated. The baby javelina is not looking forward to the next video, but I AM! And with that foundation, that house is goin' nowhere!
I definitely had to chuckle over these comments! LOL Thanks for sharing.
Hi Don, your videos are great . The right balance of humor and good tips for us seniors on being independent and doing things that seem too difficult for us..slow and steady. I bet you never thought people would Binge all your videos 😂also enjoy your singing..keep it up! Best wishes
Hi Suzanne. Thanks for the lovely comments. To be honest I am still stunned at how many people watch my videos. I still dont think I quite get it but I am so thankful they do.
Wow Don, your foundation work is seriously impressive. I had lived in the south for a couple of decades and tornados were a constant threat. Trust me, your being cautious and making sure you do everything within your power to keep from being blown away due to high winds is the smartest route you could take. I did have a tornado blow over my 5 acres and home, and luckily my house was not hurt, but I lost 28 trees all over 40 to 60 feet tall each. Big trees. So I have seen the effects and the damage. I live out west now, and the high winds are very strong here. So taking some extra time on the foundation will be time well spent. Keep going Don! You are such a kind person that truly deserves the best. Thanks for sharing and taking us along with you on your journey. I look forward to the next one, and by the way , I love your humor. The rabbit kick was the best 😅😅🥰
Hi Martha. It always warms my heart to receive comments like this. How on earth can I not feel affirmed, appreciated and just plain delighted? Thank you!
You should fill each hole full of water full of water , let it soak into the dirt , THEN fill with cement . The dry dirt will suck moisture out of the cement that it needs to cure properly , over time !
Don, over engineering your forever home is the only way to go. In high wind areas unless you are on a slab, this is the way to insure the house stays put. Until next week have a super blessed week.
Thanks so much Rodney. Sturdy and practical. My 2 favorite words on this build.
I think you found a great use for that teflon pan! I am glad you stop using it. Your thought process to engineer your big home is going to be very structurally sound. Love your cute sense of humor.
Thanks seaflower. Yes I dont be purchasing another teflon pan anytime soon!
Wow!!! 7,600 views within the first 12 hours! It is so refreshing to see a You Tube creator actually documenting step by step procedure. I am stinkin fed up with so called "instructional" videos that show a person's body from far away and do not show the hands and tools and parts so very necessary to see. Thank you for taking care to show people what you are using and how you do it. For instance, you are the only person that shows a cone nut and the struggles one should anticipate when using them as part of your solar array assembly, way back when you did the solar array mounting video. I cannot wait to see you wrestle the javelina and I am putting my money on Daredevil Don! Your videos show us what folks can REALISTICALLY expect to encounter along the way and to err is human and to be human makes your videos relational. Good Job! Your cabin is NOT going to get blown off the foundation in any of the 135 mph desert winds! Overkill all the way but I can't imagine you doing anything less than uber strong!
I totally agree with this one Sheridan. I definitely try to show the whole process so someone watching could duplicate it as well if they chose to.
You are an amazing man. So delighted to see all your doing. I so admire you. God bless you and all your endeavors.
You're doing a monumental amount of work! You're doing it very well, precise, sturdy...very impressive. People tell me that the foundation is the most important part of a building and you've built a good one. I bet things start to go faster and faster now.
Thanks so very much for always encouraging comments. I am excited about the possibility of really rolling on this home. Got to design plumbing soon. That will take some thought for sure.
Moving those 60-pounders is a real chore! I was doing that this past weekend while building our IBC tote platform. Whew! Keep up the good work, buddy! Stay safe!
Thanks so much! A bit of work but when something is do-able then I tend to focus and get it done.
Hi Don, the Big House is coming along nicely and yes the weather around the world is certainly unpredictable. Loved the video. Graham and Tim 😊 🐕
many thanks as always for your lovely comments and encouragement Graham!
I miss my old man. I wish I was there to help you. I miss helping and messing around while my late old man is working.
Hi Don, I’m surprised that you didn’t used a rigid brace instead of a strap so that you have support from both directions.
But then I see that you strap the other footer beam on the opposite sides.
You will never regret taking the time to secure the foundation!
Thanks Wayne. I think this should be super sturdy when its complete.
You know you could have dry poured the ready mix into your cinderblocks and just topped off with water. Pouring dry ready mix in most humid parts of the world quite enough as the mix will pull moisture out of the air and go off. Being in the desert this process could take a little longer but would still occur, by topping off with a cup or two of water just helps things along.
Hi David...have you tried the dry pour method in the desert and if so, how often and for how long did you occasionally mist the pour? When doing a dry pour, how large of a framed out pour can one do? I have not done dry pour except for fence post holes and I am looking forward to trying it for an entry way.
@@SheridanAtwood-bd3ks I grew up in the sub Sahara probably comparable with Arizona maybe a little hotter. My dad was a civil engineer and always had projects on the go, misting in dry climates a good idea cuts down on flying dust if nothing else, Dry mix floors possible, we have done them, in particular for sub floors where another layer going over the top, they do take longer to set but if you are not on a tight time schedule this is not a problem. As a general rule most of us use far more water than is truly required when mixing concrete. something else worth noting is that concrete that is allowed to cure underwater for three months tends to be significantly stronger. .How big is the floor you intend to dry lay if less than twenty by twenty feet mist the ground then spread your dry mix use rakes a vibrating plate impactor and only mist if you can fine mist only. heavier drops will obviously cause problems leaving drip holes.Aggregate size important half inch should do it. If you want a really strong hard wearing floor try cement fondue and granite chips. this should be regularly watered ie not allowed to go dry for several days.flood if possible after setting. always worth a practice on a small scale pavers are always useful.
Good tips thanks David!
Good job Don!
Thanks Mush. Probably some great fall colours in Nova Scotia these days.
Yes, had to scrape the window, this morning !@@affordabledesertliving3487
A friend owns a large mobile home park here in Tucson....they use the same pier and strap system just like you. And it certainly does seem like this part of AZ has gotten more windy the past few years. As a civil and structural engineer, I know there are many ways to build a foundation for just about anything. You are doing excellent with your foundation Don. Always enjoy your videos a lot. Thanks.
Wow Lawrence, considering your experience I am so thrilled by your response to my build. I based my strap and pier system on what I found in Arizona state requirements for mobile homes of a similar size. So far I am really pleased at how it all turned out.
I am a "bit" senior to you and I totally relate to not having the grip strength that I had in my 'teen' years (40-60) lol. It's coming along nicely especially since this is the rock solid foundation for your desert mansion. All the best to you---cheers!
Thanks so much. Fortunately grip strength still does the trick for work around this 4 acre desert property. Cheers and thanks!
Hehe that photo was of a baby javelina!
Yup you are correct. A young one for sure.
Aye Don .Glad that you filled the cinder blocks with concrete and added the strapping for extra stability .It`s getting there nicely .Looking forward to the next installment . ATB
Thanks my Scottish mate! So appreciate you being here.
😂I’m looking forward to the javalina wrestling!❤❤❤ Happy building!
LOL Thanks Brian and Pam. Stay tuned...!
Good morning, Don! not quite 5:30 here, but my wee Ancient pup decided he wanted breakfast, so I fixed a steamy mug of coffee to enjoy while watching your post. that foundation is coming on a treat! I was wondering though, when do you run the sewer line from the house to join up to the sceptic system ? I would not want to be digging through that soil under a crawl space. that would not be an easy task. take care! ❤️🇨🇦❤️
Hi Carol. Well actually you will see the details in upcoming vids but the sewer line is already dug and ready to go! How cool eh? I have to admit thinking someone takes time out of their day to have a cup of coffee and watch what I am up to is so very encouraging. Thank you! all the best!
Things are coming along quite nicely Don. It’s exciting to see things step by step as you get closer to the real fun 🤩 👵🏻👩🌾❣️
Thanks Dee. So rewarding to see this home take shape bit by bit.
Don she's commin' along just DANDY!!!
Thanks a ton for all of the encouragement.
A really cool trick take the sawssaw remove the blade to
Vibrate the concrete this will remove air bubbles 😅
Hmm. I really like that idea as long as my cool sawzall doesnt get mucked up by the quickcrete.
Great job you smartie.
LOL Thanks Flyover!
Don, please go back to using the big house. It brings a smile to my face. Keep up the good work.
Thought no one noticed LOL. Thanks for the encouragement.
You could wait to tighten the straps after the floor is completely nailed down, the beams shouldn’t want to rotate then. Coming along great.
Great tip douglas and I did something similar which should work. Stay tuned.
Anything you do to make your home more sturdy is a good idea.
Yes thats my thinking for sure marilyn.
Didn't know about the mobile home ground strap system. This can be used for many other applications. Thx!
Thanks MJ. The main thing is to purchase the adapter that goes on a torque wrench making driving the ground stakes in pretty efficient.
Once again a great video Don. I honestly love watching them.
That is such a kind comment. So encouraging. Thank you.
Don , those gloves look cumbersome. Probably over kill in most that you do. There are great cut proof flexible gloves that would make it just a little easier and enjoyable. Love your show!
Jim I always appreciate the knowledge and info from those who watch this channel. I took what you said seriously and added a pair of gloves to my amazon wish list. Delighted you find the vids enjoyable. Many thanks.
Hi Don! This is a really interesting process. Until next time....🙂👍👍🇨🇦
Thanks Deborah. You will get to see how a home is literally built from the ground up. This is saving me 1000s of dollars doing it myself which is fantastic fun as well.
Great job Don, looks like that place will be solid and not move. No criticism here only praise. You do what you feel you need to. God's speed with this project 😊
Thanks Lee for all of that praise. Making my heart glad here for sure.
You seem like a good man! Enjoy your demeanor. I can see your enjoying yourself doing as you wish, freedom is a wonderful experience.
Thanks so much cowboy.
Looks like a labor of love. I know you are on a learning curve but I appreciate the diligence you are applying to your place. I'm up in PHX but am Retired and can always use a reason for a road trip if you ever need an extra hand! Dave/PHX
Thanks so much Dave. How kind. Phoenix isnt exactly next door!
You are something else, I love to watch you doing this lifestyle and build by yourself. I wish my ex-husband could be still here ,we divorced because he wasn't faithful, but he also passed away February of this year. Your doing a great job. Gail Waldrop in Alabama right now, but looking for a 5 acre in Tn to homestead.
Way to go Gail. Living rural is the most economic way to live these days for sure. Thanks for watching!
I'm with your nice friend, "You never know what he's going to say." LOL Awesome progress!
Thanks Lana! So appreciate your kind comments.
Great job Don! Keep up the progress and before you know it, it'll be done. God bless you young man!
God bless you and your family as well Don and many thanks for the encouragement.
Really looking good. Getting alot accomplished !👍
Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Don, having done a few 'projects' in my time, I find the best all round tip for projects/tasks I have never done before is to estimate how long it will take accurately, then DOUBLE it. The doubled estimate will be much nearer than the first one.
I am definitely finding that one out big time. Thanks so much for watching!
Don for a man of your age , getting good full body work out in too lol 💪, doing such super super nice 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 work my 1973 single wide mobile home, has those same metal straps on are farm , when I re did are sewer lines I seen the straps, at least you have a helper to help you out too , looks like nice weather, I'm Giles from Warrenton Oregon coast area we are in the 60 ° here , 3 days of nice weather then rainy weather then nice here , I'm flipping the in side of my mobile home right now adding 2 x4 s to the studs some drywall green drywall some plywood in the living room behind are new tv , the tv wall all plywood made it stronger I'm clear coating the plywood, your awesome guy don ....
Thanks for the encouraging comments Giles. Sounds like you have a great project going on with your mobile home. I know they arent made well overall so sounds like you are beefing it up nicely. All the best!
Looking good Don
Thanks so much!
I've heard that if you measure the diagonals of the foundation the angles will be square when the diagonal measurement is the same on both vectors.
Yep that is exactly what was done.
For folks mixing cement products or choosing containers for growing fish, it is best to use round containers because round containers are self cleaning with the flow of the liquid and do not allow for any residue to accumulate in any corners. Mixing mortar and cement is very easy in a 5 gallon bucket with the cement mixer paddle extension and makes it so much easier for pouring it out and for effortless cleaning afterwards.
Good tips Sheridan many thanks!
Interesting. I’ve never seen hurricane ties used as joist hangers.
I was thinking that too.
They are sturdy and practical for the build so they got my vote for sure.
Yep I dont necessarily do things the traditional way. Just whatever works for me and will stand the test of time.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Makes sense I guess if there is more concern with lifting forces than pulling or compression
Great job, Don. At least the cooler or less hot months are coming. 🌎✌️🙂 Tomic
The temps these days in the 80s are absolutely perfect. Love those temps for sure. Not too hot and not too cold for me anyway.
The drill apparatus looked like a struggle. Just a thought….. maybe mix smaller batches with a 5 gallon bucket. Figure out basic proportions and roll the bucket to mix….. then pour the bucket mixture into the mixing pan
Looking great Don. When you start your subfloors and walls before you know it the roof will be installed. I used the standard Home Depot windows and they are just ok. When its time for good windows l'd really get some good ones.
Thats a great tip Nan. I will heed your advice for sure.
Love your sense of humor!!
Thanks Ken. Very kind.
I wanna see the javelina wrestling video! 🤣😂
Stay tuned... LOL.
Fun update
So glad you enjoyed it!
Good job there Don.
Very windy, have to build a windmill Don for electricity or use it for pumping water .
Afraid I am not as mechanical as I could be Dutch. In this windy area it would be flying apart every month LOL. Thanks for watching.
Yup that's exactly how I'd get that long piece of wood moved.
LOL. Thanks so much for watching.
Hello my enterprising friend! You are a thorough and hard-working man. And still I heard som happy whisteling. Very good video.
Thanks Morten. I love working on my new home. Hard work for me is fun and invigorating. As long as I have the health and energy I take joy in working.
Senior Power 👍🤗
Yep thats what I currently have under the hood. LOL.
Brilliant Don I live in a manufacturer Home , mine 30x20 ft. Yours will be bigger giving you excellent living space.
I know it's hard work, but it will be worth it.
God bless
Simon 🇬🇧
Wow Simon thats super. So you have a good idea of the living space I will have. Thats so cool.
@@affordabledesertliving3487
Yep more than you will need , you will get lost lol.
Simon 🇬🇧😀
Very helpful to see these details. I'm feeling better about pier foundation now - was going to go with slab, but now I might change my mind again. Still puzzling about best option for ease of packrat control, which is why I was thinking about slab.
Cheryl the trick with packrats is to use serious skirting and also use a wire mesh barrier deep in the ground at the base of the skirting so it prevents rodents from digging under neath. The advantage of a pier foundation is that you can go under and add things like plumbing/propane/electrical how and when you want. With a slab if you make a mistake with your plumbing etc. you are done for essentially. Super hard to correct later on.
thanks, Don! I'm definitely leaning toward the pier foundation after seeing you create yours from scratch. I'll plan on deeply buried hardware cloth, and hopefully stone around the foundation if I can find someone good at stonework. I'd like to think I could learn stonework, but I suspect it takes more time and talent than I possess, ha ha! @@affordabledesertliving3487
I love your experiments they make me happy
Delighted you enjoy the work here on the property Sara. Appreciate you watching.
You're making great progress!
Thanks for all of the encouragement.
Wow Don you doing a really good job at building im learning with you there thanks
Thanks so much Kriss. Working and learning as I go here. So much to learn but super fun work for sure.
You do a fantastic job Don keep going
Thanks Terry. Its an amazing project for sure!
You are such a joy!
Wow that comment made me smile real big. Thanks Jane!
You said to keep watching to find out about filling in the holes in your blocks--Nice work. As I like to say---Looks like a job done good enuf for who its for!!!
Thanks clark. Yup not fancy but sturdy and practical.
I had no idea about Teflon pans danger, thanks
Glad that was helpful. Yep no end to bad reports on them. I use ceramic pans now and also steel ones.
Looking good there Don..more progress 😁👍
Bit by bit its happening Paul. Thanks for watching.
Great job my friend !!!!
Thanks so much Oscar!
Next time you need to mix cement use a long handled hoe in your flat mixing tub. You pull it back and forth. Glad you filled in concrete blocks. I missed seeing any birds. Take care.
Thanks so very much for the encouragement and tips Wanda. Dont worry lots more bird stuff coming later I am sure.
Looking good. Should be well worth it when finished.
Hoping so Michael. Thanks so much for watching.
Use a small shovel for mixing cement, not a spade 😀
Looking good brother...
many thanks for watching!
Good honest Gentleman.👍
Such a heartwarming comment. Thank you jerry!
Hi Don from a fellow Canadian here, it's looking solid and I'm enjoying the progress you are making on your house. For the cement mixing maybe try a hoe.
Good tip Derek. thanks for watching!
maybe those straps could have been opposite to each other to stop the beam rolling over ??
I have since secured the beams to prevent roll over as we speak. Stay tuned and you will see an update soon Bernie.
Great to see the progress, coming along nicely ❤
Thanks so much for watching Sharyn!
Harbor freight cement mixer. Well worth the price.
A bit pricey but I might consider it further down the road. Thanks for watching.
Good try on making an automatic mixer!
Epic fail but I try to show what I do here. Whether it works or doesnt. In this case the latter LOL.
I built a 8 foot by 12 foot chicken rabbit cage concrete foundation it took me 2 months .. it wore me out but today I finished it .. next year I will pour the outside
Way to go and many thanks for the encouragement.
I’ve heard the desert is a great place to dispose of "pans". Never to be seen again.
Yeah Teflon had to go.
Great job Don, could you screw the beams into the concrete blocks or would that be overkill?
Hi Mark. Thats an excellent question. I chose not to Because the blocks are not cemented into the ground all that far. Thus not providing as much safety in the event of a severe storm. Hurricane straps have been used for many years on similar size buildings in even tornado regions like Florida. Its super windy at times here so I went with that method. Also if you check Arizona requirements for mobile homes the size of my home its mandatory to have them strapped in the same way I have and with a similar number of straps. So I copied that idea. The beauty of not having the beams screwed into the concrete is that I can still move them a bit here and there to make things squared up as accurately as possible before the joists go on. Hope that makes sense. and thanks for watching!
Hi Don Eastern Canada call it a thumb wrench .
Bravo..........no anchors in cement.......the straps.......thin flat bar........hmmmmm.......cheers
Strapped to the ground as per permitting requirements for a manufactured home similar in size. Should be solid.
If we built that in Australia the local council would make us pull it down. Rules for foundations are very strict. Good to see people can build how they want in some places. For private homes , should be more of it. Too many rules now make building impossible for most ppl.
Hey dude, the bankster mafia wants to rule the world and take away our God given rights
That is why I chose to retire in Cochise County and sign up with the owner builder opt out permitting system. Once your septic is permitted the county guidelines for building your own home are wonderfully relaxed making it affordable.
@affordabledesertliving348 oh how wonderful! What an incredibly good policy. And can stop worrying about your build being fated to die by red tape!
@@lanie-ok Yes I have friends that are actually building their homes out of Strawbale and earthbags etc. All under the owner builder opt out program.
Don, curious why you chose to use $$$ Hurricane ties as floor joist hangers $. Typically, they are used to tie roof truss cord to exterior was framing. Also, why are the “floor joist hangers” installed above the the beams?
Good luck!
My thoughts too. The joists just rest on the beams so no hangers are really required in my opinion.
Hi Stan. This is to ensure that the joists fit nicely across the beam foundation and stay in place to provide 16" centers for the floor joists. Which will be super important when I lay downt the tongue and groove plywood flooring on top of the joists. Stay tuned and I think it will make sense.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 Still, you may attach the joist to the fascia using nails. I did this on my 2 recent sheds. The only drawback is that the nails are visible on the fascia afterwards. You can achieve any precision with this method and hangers are not so necessary really. You can achieve 16 OC spacing. However maybe you have some new idea to show. For example with hangers it might be little more convenient to place the joists in place so they do not wander before nailing and it is more aesthetically pleasing afterwards.
@@stanpak007 I definitely see where you are coming from for sure. With the method I chose the whole floor structure then is interconnected by using the tie downs. Then from there down of course as you can see the beam/joist assembly is anchored to the ground using the mobile home tie down strapping method. So its just one big integrated solid floor structure. Of course the facia will be attached to the flush edges of all the joists making it hopefully look good. This is great Stan and makes me realize viewers cant exactly read my mind on these things so I will explain more of my engineering mindset on this in a future video. Cheers!
When the hell do they get hurricanes in Arizona?
Severe storms from Mexico. Think heavy metal things swirled around and crashing through windows like my neighbor experienced.
Exciting
Thanks for watching Herb.
Always fun to follow your build ✓
So delighted you are here watching.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 watching from the Philippines 🌴....I have traveled many times on I-10 stopping at Dragoon Rocks ( rest area) Cochise county, Arizona
Near Benson Arizona
Big fan, but what are you doing with all these cars.
? "all these car??. I have one. A 1998 Toyota Corolla. I call it my toyota pickup.
Why did you elevate the home instead of using a slab foundation? How will you prevent the winds from blowing cold air under the house making your home colder in winter? What kind of insulation do you plan to use in your home?
Great questions runninggrewywolf. I really really dont like slabs. I will be adding plumbing, electric, and propane lines under the home. Having it raised makes adding those much easier later on. I will have a very warm floor insulation PLUS there will be serious skirting around the entire home making it warm. Plus I will be using a serious propane furnace as well. The entire home will be spray foamed with open cell foam. The floor will have 2 layers of 2" foam board. If you watch my little cabin being insulated you will see exactly how this is planned. Thanks for watching.
A garden hoe is great for mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow or plastic tub.
Good point I might have to break down and try that method.
I live in Surprise Arizona. I was curious as to where in south east Arizona you chose? Around Tuscon, Bisbee, Benson, Wilcox? I have been watching videos of nomads that have set up homesteads in northern Arizona like Williams, Concho, St Johns area.
I live near Sierra Vista in Cochise County. Thanks for watching.
Is quick-crete that much more expensive?
Real cost effective overall. Just $3.98 per bag at lowes.
@@affordabledesertliving3487 H.B. Fuller makes a pour that is pricy but SO quick; will make your eyes pop out! 30 second from open until done 2K™: Fence Post Backfill
Really... the larger Harbor freight cement mixer has been a very good deal Capacity is 2 80 lb bags, but works better at just 1 bag at a time.
Thos saying just dry pour... that comes out less than 1/8 strength. Mixing is required for strength. For major construction projects they specify the number of turns of the drum of the mixer truck.
The paddle mixer for your drill expeccts to mix in a 5 gallon bucket, not the mortar mixing tray.
Good tips. Thanks fhuber!
Where did u get them mobile home tie downs? Is a good idea and think im gunna do it
Hi Bubba. I got the ground stakes from Mobile Home Depot in Sierra Vista. But they only had a few so I ordered the rest on Amazon. You can get the slotted metal bolts on amazon as well. The strapping itself I got from a company in missori which offered good rates. But you can get the strapping on amazon and several other places too. The main important tool though is the metal adapter tool that I ordered on ebay. (see previous videos) Connected with a torque wrench it does the trick of driving those 30" ground stakes in the ground. Hope that helps!
Don, where did you get those anchors and what are they called?
They are called: Mobile Home Double Disk Earth Auger Anchor
I got some in Sierra Vista at the Mobile Home Depot Store. The others on amazon
www.amazon.com/dp/B08WNC3G35?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Why did you choose to not secure the four beams directly to your concrete pillars? This would eliminate any need for strapping attached with "cabinet screws".
Good observation. I didnt secure them to the pillars because they are not very deep in the ground and I wanted something more "hurricane resistant". So I went with the strapping method like they use in hurricane prone areas like Florida etc. for extra sturdiness factor. Plus this is the approved method by the state of Arizona.